Eatch bolt and striker device



Nov. 16, 1943. J, GREK; 2,334,623

LATCH BOLT AND STRIKER DEVI CE Filed April 19, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATT RNEV Nov. 16, 1943. J, w, G EG 2,334,623

LATCH BOLT AND STRIKER DEVICE Filed April 19, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR W A rz olm through lines 55 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 4 but,

invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out invarious wayfs. 7

Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed hereinis for the pur;., I,

pose of description and not of limitatiomand it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art.

in the jamb edge 33 of the upright body pillar forming the frame portion at the open edge of the door opening. The face plate 30 and backing plate 3| are conjointly provided with angular slots 34 for the reception of attaching screws 35 by means of which the striker unit is attached to the pillar 33 within the recess 32. Thus. by virtue of-the horizontal and vertical portions of the slots 34 the striker unit C may be readily adjusted both in a horizontal and a vertical directionso as to position the same accurately with respect to the latch bolt I6.

I The face plate 30 is stamped to provide a lower transverse housing member 36 and an upper transverse housing member 31, these portions 1 being spaced apart to provide a passageway In the drawings there is illustrated, by way of example, one embodiment of the present in vention as applied to an automobile bodyB having a swinging door D, the mechanism of the present invention comprising a latch bolt mechanism, generally designated at A, mounted upon the door, and a striker unit, generally designated at C, mounted upon the body pillar'at the jamb face of the door opening. v g

The latch bolt m'echanism'which is carried by the door comprises, in the present instance; a

suitable case plate IO'secured to the inner face of the'inner door or look panel I I through the medium of screws 12. The case plate I includes an out-turned flange |3' which extends along the inner inclinedface of the jamb l4 of the door pillar. The outer door panel is illustrated at l5 and is secured in the usual mannerto the outer overlap fiange'of the door pillar, as shown in Fig. 2. The ,case plate l0 carries a retractablelatchbolt |6 which hasa sliding fit'ln an opening or slot inthe flange 13 of, the'case plate.

To the rear portion |6a of jthelatch bolt I6 is' secured by rivets I1 a slide member |8 which has a horizontalguide slot ISf r'the'receptiOn of a headed guide studfor rivetZO secured to an angle piece 2| which in turn is fas'tenedto. an embossment in the case plate. H]. The end'of the slide member 8 carries a' headedrivet or stud 22 extending through a horizontal slot 23 in the end of a. remote control link 24,1thislink being connected'in conventional nannento a remote control handle 24a at the. inner side of I the door which may be turned to retract the latch bolt] It will b'eun'ders'tood that'the remote control handle and connections to the latch bolt .will be dispensed with whenthe inner door handle is mounted substantially "opposite the outer 'door handle adjacent the jamb edge of the door.-

I The latch bolt may be retracted independently of the remote control handle through the 'medium of a depending extension25 onjthe bolt which is engaged'byfa, cam extension 26f of a suitable rollback journalled' to turn on the case plate and controlled by a handleshaft 21 insertable into a square aperture 28 in the case plate andhub of the rollback. The shaft 21 may be turned through the medium of an outer door handle .H. Mounted upon'the case plate is a spiral return spring 29 for the latch" bolt I6,

the end 29a of the spring engaging a shoulderon the rear end of the latch bolt and adapted to return the bolt to fully extended position when the handle is released. Y J j v The combined striker and dovetail unit C come prises, in the present instance, a metallic face plate 30 and a metal backing plate 3|,these parts being assembled and set in a recess 32 therebetween for the bolt I6 when the door is opened and closed. The backing plate 3| is also pressed to provide shallow embossments 3|a and 3|b which fit into the rear open sides of the housing portions 36 and 31, this construction permitting the face plate and backing plate to be readily assembled and interlocked for ready assemblyupon the body pillar. The case plate I0 is provided, in the present instance, with an upward extension 10a which is a continuation of the flange l3. This extension is pressed or drawn to provide a hollow projecting wedge member-38 overlying the upper face 31a of the upper housing member 31, the face 31a thus providinga ledge adapted to be engaged by the wedge member'38; The member 38 has a tapered or wedge shaped lower face 38a at its entering end and 'it will be seen from the drawings that the bottom face of the wedge member 33 rides upon the ledge race 31a of the upper housing member.

Mounted'within the lower housing member 36 of the striker plate is a pivoted latch or striker member 39. This member'is mounted to rotate or turn upon a pivot pin 40 riveted. at its end to the embossed portion 3|a of the backing plate 3| the inner end of thepin also being supported by the inner-upright wall of the housing 35.

; Thelatch or striker member 39 is, in the present instance, of two arm construction having an outer arm 4| projecting freely through a slot in the upper wall or ledge 'face 36a of the housing member "36 and also having an inner angularly extending arm 42 adapted to engage a fixed resilient or rubber bumper or stop member 43 secured within the housing. The arm 4| is yieldingly held in extended position, as shown in Figs. 4 and6, through the medium of a wire spring 44 coiled around the pivot pin 40, one end of the spring being hooked around the edge of the arm 4| and the other end of the spring engaging-a fixed side wall of the housing 36, as shown inFig; 4; The arm 4| of the latch 39 is provided, respectively, with outer and inner relatively inclined or tapered faces Ma and Mb.

The face 4|a is inclined upwardly and inwardly and lies in thepath of the latch bolt I6 whereas the face 4|b is reversely inclined so as to provide a safety step adapted to be engaged by the lower bevelledor tapered corner |6c of the bolt in the safety locking position shown in' Fig. 6. The face 4|b of the arm 4| is preferably curved with its center of curvature substantially at plate is also provided with'a latch or striker memher which is'mounted towm orirotate upon a pivot pin or stud 4 having one end riveted to the embossed portion 3 lb of the backing plate and at its opposite end supported in an aperture in the inner upright wallet the housing flr 'rhefupper V of the bolt lias'lt {enters the passage between the housing members when thedoorl is closed: The lower inclined face 41b ofthe arm}? isinclined reversely to the face lib-of 'thearrn'll o ithe lower striker and is preferably curved with its center of curvature substantially at the pivot It to facilitate movement of thearm into the housing toolear the edge of the slot through which the'arm projects. "The face dredge; 41b of the arm "of the upperstriker is thus-wedge-shaped for cooperation with the 'jupper bevelled or tapered corner Nib of thelatch bolt intheifinal locking position of the bolt as 'shown'in Fig. 4 The upper arm 48 of the latch '65 extends within thehousin 31 in position for engagement with a resilient'or rubber bumper 49."; The arm H is urged to its extended position shown ingFig; 4 by means of a wirespring 50 coiled aroundith'e pivot 45, oneend of the spring'being hooked over the edge of the amnfi'l and the opposite end engaging the upper wall of the housing "31, as clearly shown inFigd. u

From" the" foregoing it will be understood that whenjthe door is closed the bolt IE will pass transversely between} the "projecting housing members .35 and,3'l"and; theiholt will'not retract as it moves into the preliminaryand' final locking positions. As the' door is pushed" into closed position the bolt [{6 will engage, successively the arm iii or the lower projecting striker'membe'r 39 the farm 41 the upper projecting striker memberflfi. 'rhe bolt win first'jen'gage the inclined. face A] a forcing "the arm '4 If downwardly into' the housing 36 against the action ofspring 46. 'rnea'rmi l .will.spring backint o its extended position -ofFigs. 4 and 6 assoon as the boltpasses b yonafn e inclinediace 41d, thus projectin'g the wedgefjshapedilocking face Mb into the path of the bolt to provide asaietylocking step, as shown in Fig. 6, inthe event the door is not fulhg closed. Further closing movement of the door will cause the bolt fli'to engage the inclined face 410. of the armm, thereby forcing this arm upwardly into the housing 31 against the action oithe spring 50. Assoon as the, upper straight edge oi the bolt clears the inclined face .4la. the spring '5}! will force the arm 41 downwardly, thereby urgingthe Wedge face 41b against the wedge face 1 6b of the boljtIQ The path of movement of the bolt ass;

enteribetWeen the housing portions 36 and 3'1 will be governed by the upper wedgemember 38 which solidly'supports the door upon the'upper ledge 3T1]. of the housing member 31 and adourately positions the bolt "with respect to the strikers 39 an'd 45. In the event the door has, sagged slightly the wedge member 38, assisted by the tapered'face hand the inclination or taper'of the ledger 31a; will lift the. door qs'the wedge 38 travels inwardly upon the inclined. face "31a. "lfhe'cooperating inclined faces [6b and 41b of the bolt andarin of the upper striker accommodate orallowfor necessary tolerances or inaccuracies inproductioniand it willijbe seen .that during travel of the vehicle Lany tendencies 'ofthedoor to 1'. A strikerf'devr vibrate or .moveislightly will result the "bolt tightening automatically against the wedge. face 4Tb. .JHence, thedoor will be supported and held 7 solidly; between the bolt 15, ;,engagingthe wedge race 'flboigthe 'ann ,and the upperwedge fl engaging the E-inclined i face -.3 la ofxthe housing member" It will also be seen'that when -the bolt is either in the position oiiFi'g. 6 orin the position of :Fig. 4 the door-may la'tched against any possibilityof its opening since outward'pressure of the bolt against either the wedge face Mb or the 'wedg'e :iaceflb willbe opposed by reason of the factthat'the strikermembe'rs, when in fully extended positions; are held "against rotation in an outward direction.

- -Rotation ofthe striker member 45 a countrdlbli'wise direction from the position-of Fig; 4 is prevented by the rubber bumper and also by engagement of the-edge of the arm 41 with-the edge of'the slot in the-wan 31a. 'In like'manner rotati n oi' the lower striker inember 39 in a clockwisedirectionfrointheposition of Fig. 4 is prevented by therubber bumperffl and also by engagement of the edge oI-the arm 4| with the edge of the slot in the wall 36a. The door may be opened frem either of its'docked positions of Figs. 4 and 6 by'turning'the handle to retract the bolt 6 a distance sufiicientto cause its end to clear the transversely aligned striker members, whereupon theend of the bolt'will' move freely past the striker members. It will be understood that the bolt returnspring 23 is stronger than either of'the springs M 01158 so that in closing thedoorthe bolt does notrtract.

g V oeior use'incombination with a latch bolt adapted to be mounted upon a swinging door-hinged atone edgeto a iranie structure,

'c'omprisihga pivoted striker member adapted to be mounted on the irame structure and normally extending downwardly into the path of the bolt,

7 said striker member having a 'substantiallyarcu- I pivotal axislof the member, said arcuate surface ate surface with its center of curvature substantiali'y at the pivotalaxis oijth'e membensaid arcu'at'e surface "being arranged for engagement in thef locked position of "the bolt with a substdntially flatincfinedsurfaceon the bolt where- "upwardmovement' of the bolt against the member? o r .2. A striker device foruse in. combination with a latch bolt adapted to be mounted upon a l swin g door hingedat one edge to a frame structure, comprising a pivoted'striker member adapted tobe mounted on the 'fra l e str'ucture and comprising a two arm membenone arm nor-. inallyjextending downwardlyjinto the path of the l boltfsaid'last namedarm of the striker member having a substantially arcuate surface with itsicenter of curvature substantially at the beinga'rrangedf for engagement in I the locked position 'of the bolt with a substantially flat inelined surface onthe bolt whereby upward movement of thebolt against the striker memberis rigidly" opposed by the striker member, and a fixed resilient bumper engagedby said other arm of the striker member. 7

13. In a striker assembly for use in V combinacan, vizitht 'a latch .bolt adapted to be mounted at the fr' .edge or a. swinging door hinged atits opnositeifege t ga name structure antifwang wedge member on said 'f're'e edgevertically spaced strilgermember is rigidly opposed by thejstriker with respect to: the projecting end of the bolt,

a striker casing'adaptedto be mounted on said frame structure and projecting from a surface thereof, a pivoted striker device housed within said casing and having a part extending through ayslot in thercasing into the path of the ibolt, the upper wall of the casing forming a projecting ledge arranged for engagement by said wedge member to position the door inra vertical direction with respect to the door frame when the door is closed, said striker device and bolt having cooperating faces engageable in the locked position of the bolt to oppose vertical movement of the door in one direction, said wedge member cooperating with said ledge to hold the door against vertical movement in the, opposite direction. I

4. In a striker assembly for use in combination with a latch-rbolt adapted'to be mounted at the free edge ofa swinging door hinged;at

its opposite edge to a frame structure,,a striker casing adapted'to be mounted on said frame structure and projecting from a surface thereof, a pivoted striker device housed within said casing and having a part extending through a slot in the casing'into the path of the bolt,- a spring for normally urging said striker device ,into the path of the bolt, one wall of the casing forming a projecting ledge arrangedfor engagement by awedge member on the free edge of the door to position the door in a vertical direction with respect to the door frame when the dooris closed, said striker device and bolt having cooperating faces engageable in the locked position of the bolt to oppose vertical movement of the door in one direction. 7 V q V 5. In a striker assembly for use in; con bination. with a latch bolt and with-a doorhinged at one edge toa door frame, a pair'of pivoted spring pressed striker; members adapted to be mounted in spaced relation in a directioiitransverse to the direction of closing of the opposite edge of the door, said members extending into the path of the bolt and adapted tofb e ,suocessively moved by the bolt one after the other out of the path thereof when the door is closed,

each ofsaid members adapted to be projected by its spring into the path of the bolt as the bolt moves past the member, onefof said members having a wedge fface coop erablegwith the bolt to oppo'serelative vertical movementthereof, and

means for limiting pivotal movement of the striker members in one direction. 6, In a'striker assembly for use in gcombina,

tion with a" latch'bolt adapted to be mounted at the free edge of a swinging door hinged at its oppositefl'edge to a doorframe, a pair of pivote'd, springj pressed striker members adapted to be mounted onthe'door frame and spaced trans versely thereof, said members extending into the path of the bolt and adapted to besuocessively moved by the bolt one after the'lother, outeof the path thereof when the' 'dooris closed, each of'said members adapted, to be Pr'ojcte'db'y its spring into the path of the bolt as the bolt moves past the member, saidlstriker members forming successive locking steps for-the bolt, and the bolt and at least one of saidmembers having wedge faces cooperable'when the bolt is in one of its locking positions. I

'7. A striker assembly according to claim. 6 in which each striker member is a two arm member, one arm extending intothep'ath of the bolt, the striker: assembly including a fixed resilientbumper engageableby the otherarm.

8. In:1a striker assembly for use in combinationwith a latch bolt adapted to be mounted at the. free edge of a swinging door hinged at its opposite edge to a door frame, a pair of pivoted spring, pressed striker members adapted to be mounted on the, door frame and spaced transversely thereof in an offset relation,,said members extending one downwardly and the other upwardly into the path of the bolt and adapted to be successively moved by the bolt one after theother out of the path thereof when the door is closed, each of said members adapted to be projected by itsspring into the path of the bolt asthe bolt moves past themember, said bolt and at least one of said members having wedge faces cooperableto oppose relative vertical movement thereof, and means for limiting pivotal movement of the striker members in one direction. a a r 9. In' a striker assembly for use in combination with a latch bolt and with a door hinged at one edge to a door frame, a pair of pivoted spring pressed striker members adapted to be mounted and arranged in staggered manner transversely of the door frame and in ofiset vertically spaced relation, said members extending into the path of the bolt and adapted to be successively moved by the boltone after the other out of the path thereof when the door is closed, each of said members adapted to be projectedfby its spring into the path of the bolt as the bolt moves past the member thereby forming successive retractible locking steps for holding the door in two locking positions, said bolt being longitudinally retractible to permit the end thereof to pass freely by the striker 'members, when the door is opened, one of the striker members forming asafety' bolt locking step when the dooris partially closed and the other striker member; forming a" final locking step when the door is fully closed.

10'. In a striker assembly for use in combination with a latch bolt adapted to be mounted at the free edge of a swinging door hinged/at its opposite edge to a door frame, a pair of pivoted"spring pressedstriker members adapted to be mounted ,on the door frame and arranged in staggered manner transversely of the door frame and in vertically spaced relation, said members extending into the path of th'e'bolt and adapted to be successively moved by the bolt one after the other out of the path thereof when the door is 'closed, each of said members adapted to be projected by its spring into the path of the bolt as the bolt moves past the member thereby forming successive retractible locking steps for holding the doorin two'locking positions, each of said striker members having an arcuate face engageable by the bolt andhaving the center of curvature thereof at the pivotal axis of the mem- 11. Ina striker assembly for use in combination with a latch bolt and with a swinging door hinged atone edge to a door frame, a striker plate, a spring pressed pivoted striker member mounted onsaid plate, said bolt adapted to strike said member as the door is closed and to move the'same out of the path of the bolt, said member being moved by its spring into said path as thebolt moves past the member, said striker member comprising a two arm member, one arm extending into the path of the bolt and the other arm into position to engage a resilient bumper.

- JAMES W; G IG. 

